Bunker Renovations

Each spring we identify bunkers that need to be rebuilt.  The goal of this project is to help maintain the original shape and look of our bunkers.  Over time due to many reasons the shape of the bunker can change dramatically.  Most of the time the bunker gets smaller in size, the grass encroaches into the sand.  The aesthetics of the bunker is a large part of this project.  The slopes become contaminated with undesired grass species, moss, and deteriorating edges.

4 Greenside - before

Where do you start? The first step is to pull away all of the sand around the edge of the bunker.  This gives us an area to work from that minimizes the amount of contamination.  Next is the sod cutter.  We have gotten pretty good over the years using the sod cutter on steep slopes in teams of 2 or 3 to cut away the unwanted grass.  Two or three complete passes are made around each bunker.  

As many as ten cart fulls of spoils(grass and dirt) can be removed from a bunker depending on its size.  The most efficient way for us to haul it away is by placing plywood on the edge and driving the cart in the bunker.  The unwanted material must be removed before we can move onto the next step.  This is the longest part of this process, but also the most important.  Crew members using shovels and rakes remove the soil(dirt) and organic matter below the grass until the shape we desire is achieved,  others crew members cleanup behind them as they go.

 
The picture below shows how much sand can build up on the face from golfers blasting balls towards their intended target.  (The shovel blade is 10 inches tall) 

4 Greenside

The architects from Fazio golf marked the edges of the bunker with orange paint indicating to the workers behind them where the grass line ended and the sand started.  This line is still visible after the grass and dirt is removed, it provides a guideline for how the bunker should look when it is finished.

After all of the old grass and excess soil is removed the placement of new sod can commence.  Sod is laid starting at the bottom and working to the top.  Each piece is cut to fit and sod staples are placed to hold the grass to the edge.  The gaps along the top are filled in once the edge has been laid.  Once all of the sod has been laid the final step is removing contaminated sand and redistribute the sand to proper depth. (Four inches on the bottom and 3 inches on the faces)  From start to finish, for an averaged sized bunker, the project takes 4 crew members one day to complete. 

Ready for Sod

Before and After

The sod laid on the edges needs time to establish roots into the soil.  Please use caution when entering or exiting to not damage the new sod.  The slopes are not designed for entry and exit!